Christopher Bechtler

Christopher (alias Christian) Bechtler (November 29, 1782–1843) was a German-born American goldsmith and watchmaker. He produced defined gold dollars known as Bechtler Dollars, in the early 1830s and by 1840, before the US government itself started to produce gold dollars in 1849. The site of his mint is designated the Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park in North Carolina.

Life

Bechtler was born in Pforzheim, Margraviate of Baden on November 29, 1782.

In 1829, Bechtler, his sons Augustus and Charles, and a nephew immigrated to the United States. In 1830 he opened a watchmaker store in Philadelphia, the site of the first United States Mint. Drawn by one of the first gold rushes in the United States, Bechtler moved to North Carolina in 1830 and established a private mint.

Coinage

Bechtler's mint produced coins in three denominations: $1, $2.50, and $5, and the coins were struck in three Fineness: 20 carats, 21 carats, and 22 carats. At the time and within the limits of the existing technology, the coins were considered of honest weight.

Bechtler's coins today Because of the Coinage Act of June 28, 1834, which increased the value of gold by more than 6%, Bechtler's coins today are quite scarce and consequently, command high prices when offered for sale. The North Carolina National Bank of Charlotte has a collection that can be viewed today.